The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast

Intro To Kaiju Collecting!

In the holiday spirit, Byrd, Matt and Eric give the gift of an intro to the world of kaiju collecting! They discuss what their first Godzilla collectibles were, and how their collecting habits have evolved with age. Matt and Eric talk their love of kaiju toys and Byrd discusses why he loves Japanese kaiju books that he can't read. Matt and Eric also give advice for people new to collecting kaiju toys. They also discuss their favorite items in their collections, and the ones that mean the most to them. This episode also features the debut of "Up From The Depths," the official Kaiju Transmissions theme song by Cosmic Monster!

Japanese Star Wars Knock-Offs: Toho vs. Toei

To celebrate the release of a new Star Wars film this coming weekend, Byrd and Matt got together at 2:00 AM to take a delirious, sleep deprived look at two completely bonkers Japanese Star Wars knock-offs from the 1970s. Toho's War in Space (1977) and Toei's Message From Space (1978) were both put into production to capitalize on the success of the original Star Wars, which was going to be released in Japan in the summer of 1978. Listen as the two exhausted hosts discuss horned wookiees, flying battleships, rapist lizard men, and drunk Vic Morrow to ultimately decide- which studio made the better Star Wars rip off?

Audio Commentary: Godzilla's Revenge (1969)

On our very first audio commentary, Byrd, Matt and Tom tackle Ishiro Honda's Godzilla's Revenge (aka All Monsters Attack)! This oddball kids movie is far and away one of the most maligned entries in the Godzilla series. We'll discuss the history and sociopolitical themes of the film, as well as the pros and cons. Does this movie deserve its reputation as one of the worst kaiju movies ever or should it get more credit? Listen and find out! We might just surprise you!

The Politics of Shin Godzilla

On this special post-Election Day episode, Byrd and Matt are joined by Japanese culture guru and musician Chris Marti (of the one man band Cosmic Monster) to discuss the loaded messages behind Shin Godzilla. Arguably the most politically charged Godzilla film to date, what exactly is the film trying to say? And how much of it has been overlooked or misinterpreted by fans outside of Japan? What made Prime Minister Shinzo Abe so attracted to the film? Join us as we answer those questions and discuss Fukushima, nationalism, international affairs, censorship, post-WW2 Japan, Shinzo Abe, and how the message in this film compares to previous Toho classics!

Toho's HOUSE (1977)

Our October horror series concludes with our Halloween episode! Byrd and Matt are joined by Trev (of If It Bleeds We Can Kill it and Days of Future Podcast) to talk about Nobuhiko Obayashi's HOUSE, one of the oddeste genre films in Toho's Showa filmography. Based on a story by his ten year old daughter, Obayashi's film is truly one of the most unique cinematic experiences one could hope to see. HOUSE remains a cult classic to this day due to its carefree childlike spirit and its use of every practical effect in the book. Join us as we discuss how this oddity came to be and why it continues to be a cult favorite the world over. We also touch on Obayashi's aborted "A SPACE GODZILLA" project. But first, we discuss the success of Shin Godzilla in the US, the Power Rangers trailer, and the passing of director Kensho Yamashita.

Matango: The Fungus of Terror!

NEW EPISODE: On this installment of our October horror series, we are once again joined by Tom of the Second Run Podcast to look at Ishiro Honda's cult classic Matango (aka Attack of the Mushroom People) from 1963. This is stylish horror film is arguably the most layered (and bleak) monster movie to come out of Toho in the Showa era. Join us as we discuss the movie's themes of isolation, societal breakdown, sexuality, and grotesque body horror. We also discuss Honda's relationship with screenwriter Takeshi Kimura, and how Kimura's works reflected his personal struggles. We'll even touch on the original short story by William Hope Hodgson, which the film was based on. Join us, but please don't eat the mushrooms!

Dracula: Toho Style! (The Bloodthirsty Trilogy)

For the next spooky October episode, Byrd and Matt are joined by Tom of the Second Run Podcast to take a look at Toho's Dracula Trilogy (aka The Bloodthirsty Trilogy) of the 70s. Many people are aware of Toho's interpretations of King Kong and Frankenstein, but their stylish Dracula films got lost in the shuffle here in the States with only the second and third films getting brief television runs and VHS releases in the 1980s and early 1990s. So how does Toho's loose take on the Bram Stoker mythology add up? Listen and find out!

Shin Godzilla: Giant Sized Spoiler Discussion!

On this episode, we take a super thorough look at Shin Godzilla, the latest entry in the franchise. After 12 years, Toho have come back to release a what is arguably the most divisive and unique entry in the long running series. There is SO much to talk about wiht this movie that we had to get some special guests to help us! Join Byrd and Matt with special guests Eric, Tom (from the Second Run Podcast), and Trev (from If It Bleeds We Can Kill It and Days of Future Podcast) as they unpack every aspect of the movie. We dissect everything from the political themes, the changes to the Godzilla character, the effects, and the state of the franchise to the reaction the movie has been getting on both sides of the pond. This is a long and contentious episode, so strap yourselves in!

Toho's Frankenstein Monster and the Gargantuas

Happy October! To kick off a month of horror-centric episodes, we will be looking at Toho's take on the Frankenstein Monster by examining 1965's Frankenstein Conquers The World, and its sequel The War of the Gargantuas. We are joined by special guest Jelli of the Second Run Podcast to talk about both movies in depth and even touch upon the Gargantuas' incredibly odd post-film appearances. With the classic monsters on everybody's minds this month, it is only proper to give some attention to Toho's interpretation of the most famous monster of all time! Intro- Akira Ifukube- "Horror Theme from Frankenstein vs Baragon" Outro- Devo- "The Words Get Stuck In My Throat"

Godzilla Recap: Legendary Pictures' Godzilla (2014)

Just in time to get us caught up to Shin Godzilla's US theatrical release, we are joined on this episode by special guest Eric to wrap up our Godzilla Recap. We'll be diving into 2014's big budget Hollywood Godzilla reboot from Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. We discuss the movie's long origin, the pros and cons, MUTOs, and we debate whether or not Ford Brody is the worst human character in Godzilla history.